Subframe - new or repair

[junglebunny]

My car's just come out of the garage and has failed it's MOT. I need to get quite a bit of welding done on the subframe. Instead of getting the welding done (been quoted £250), I'm considering getting a new/second hand one. I was just wondering if anyone could advise me on how easy/hard it is to replace the subframe and how much I would probably be looking at to buy one?

Many Thanks

[rowlers]

piece of p|ss. About 6 bolts, support engine with a gearbox stand. remove engine mounts (left and right hand ones). Steering rack bolts. drop subframe off and bolt backup. HArdest part was getting the engine mouns to align back up. I done this on my own in under 2 hours at my mate garage, and hadn't done it before. The 2nd hand subframe cost me £35! And labour was free cos I done it myself!

The only thing is the captive nuts that the subframe bolts into can shear off..
This means cutting holes in the floor and weldsing the nuts back down, then weld the floor back up etc... I didn't have this problem fortunately!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volkswagen-Golf-Steering-Rack-Subframe-N-S-Suspension_W0QQitemZ330158330042QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hope this helps!

[junglebunny]

Thanks, thats a great help. I just need to track a subframe down now, fast. Cheers for the e-bay link.
I'll let you all know how I get on.

[VW_valver]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volkswagen-Golf-Steering-Rack-Subframe-N-S-Suspension_W0QQitemZ330158330042QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hope this helps!

That subframe is for a 2001 Golf...surely they arent the same? 

Cheers,
Andy

[junglebunny]

I ordered a subframe off the web, it turned up last night but the've only gone and sent me one for a Mark 1.
Not a happy bunny.
 

[junglebunny]

I think it's a Mark 1 one. It's not as wide in the middle and the ends arn't wide enough. I phoned up this morning and the guy assured me it was for a Mark 2, but it doesn't look any thing like the one on there already. Arn't all Mark 2 subframes meant to be the same.
I'm confused, can anyone help.
I need an MOT.

[weazgti]

mine might have that problem one of the bolts turns half turn left and right cant do it up cant get it out.sub frame knocks all the time need to sort it but dont know how

[Gambit]

mark 1's dont have a subframe...

@weazgti - u need to get the captive nut on the chassis welded again as it has broke the welds. its a floor carpet up & hole cut in floor to gain access to nut. so u need to find someone local who's done it before really

[Mew]

Those captive nut issue is scaring me now. I just hope mine is fine when i come to take my subframe off in a week or so 

[DarnPB]

Lots of penetrating oil and a gentle continuous progressive undo should see you ok. If its snatched or graunched, then it's 'oh oh. Bugger!'